Terriers And Whippets - How Do They Get On?

[maja]

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Hello,

We are in process of re-homing rescued jack russel x whippet (not sure whether is whippet, look more like foxhound...)

She is with us at the moment for one week trial...Wolfie (our whippet) is so excited, and of course with his loving nature he would want to cuddle her all the time...She is nice dog as well, but she is quite protective of her (wolfie's) toys...bit rough sometimes.

We have to make decision untill Friday whether we keep her or not.

Does any one of you have the experience having terrier and whippet in one houshold? Can terriers be as loving/sweet nature as whippets...?

As for us, she is great dog...very affectionate and well behaved...but I want make sure Wolfie is happy.

 

[FeeFee]

I know JRT's have a reputation for being a bit snappy and bossy but they certainly aren't all like that, I know several who are complete softies in every way. I also know a couple of whippets who are horrors with other dogs, so I don't think you can generalise, you have to judge how the individual dogs get on.

I have a whippet/terrier cross, who is much more 'terrier' than whippet in appearance and behaviour. She is the sweetest natured little lass who gets on with absolutely anything, and particularly loves running with her whippet friends.

 

[Whispersmum]

Whisper's best friend is a Border Terrier and he just loves her. She has stayed with me for a fortnight whilst the owners were on holiday and the pair of them were just perfect. I think whippets and terriers are a good combination. She'll run and hunt with him then curl up together and go to sleep. Good luck, I hope it works out for all of you.

 

[Janet]

My son's Jack Russell has just come to live with my three whippys and me and although they had all met beforehand I was a bit concerned as he had never had a "sleepover". Happily, they all absolutely love him (he is nearly 6) and all willingly share beds, bones, walks etc with him. For the first few days he did guard the bones but only because he had been living with my son's girlfriends 2 jacks who bullied him but has stopped doing that now. The funniest thing is trying to see him keep up with them when they streak across the fields (his legs are about 5 inches long!)

 

[lurcherman]

i for one could not sleep at night if i had left them 2gether, jacks r always trying to be the boss so its just snap and all hell could kick off, hes a rescue so be very careful, i looked after my m8 dog recently and they have been running 2gether for 2 years now but it kicked off ending in my m8s dog having a cut ear, my rio is a whip x and his dog is a terrier x so be warned.

 

[jean.dunbar]

I agree with lurcherman. My Whippets hate the sight of terriers. I have to be very vigilant as a terrier can send my lot into orbit! Not all dogs are the same tho'.

 

[maggymills]

i can only voice my opinion and experiences- my terrier is the most loving dog ive known, she will cuddle all night, then get up for a wee, and if im ill will sleep in bed with me all day- only waking to follow me to toilet! terriers can be a blessing or a terror!

my terrier wont take crap off other dogs but would never initiate confrontation, depends on the upbringing the terrer has had to be honest.

i used to dislike them- now im love!

 

[suvi]

Hi, I have four whippets and a small cross breed mostly terrier with all the terrier characteristics.

They all get along just fine, Scrappy races around trying to keep up but he will keep the whippies in their place although he does get bowled over sometimes!

They all sleep and eat together and we have never had any problems at all.

 

[mazza]

Our 2 get on very well. Alfie jrt was nearly 2 years old when we got Annie.

He accepted her straight away and we haven’t had any problems.

Even though they are very different in character they seem

to get on together fine.

:luck: Hope your little rescue dog fits in with your family. :luck:

 

[lurcherman]

at the end of the day its ur call but let me tell u what will happen if it kicks off,

blood and guts all around and prob 1 dead dog, dont mean to scare u,, its a rescue dog ur bringing into ur home so be aware...

 

[Ridgesetter]

I have 4 breeds - RR's, Saluki, Whippets (lots) and a couple of Border Teriers.

All our dogs can and do run together and everyone gets on but we have one particular management rule which I would recommend.

NEVER LEAVE THE DOGS ALL TOGETHER UNATTENDED. :thumbsup:

This is more to do with size problems than anything else. Not that it happens but an argument between whippets would be a lot of noise but if an RR had a go at a whippet, then it would be serious damage to the whippet.

Borders are IMO quieter than other terriers, but having said that, we don't think Piglet and Tigger have read that part of the history and breed standard. I had Piglet out in the yard with my 7 week old whippet litter on Sunday and he was extremely gentle with them.

However, if there is an argument, terriers being terriers don't back down. (w00t)

As I advise anyone who gets a rescue dog, they come with baggage. I don't mean that people shouldn't rescue dogs, it's just that you don't always know how they were reared and what experiences they had. We got our Saluki at 18 months. We love her but she is different to other Salukis we know and our other dogs. We did hear there were problems with her first home so we keep her in a very tight routine and she's fine. If there are changes to the routine changes, we notice she becomes a bit unsettled.

Just my opinion from the other side of the world. :teehee:

Cheers

 

[maja]

Many thanks all for your comments.

Interesting to hear from both sides - prons and cons.

Well we just have to se how it goes..so far it looks good, she seems to be good nature, but still - it is a terrier....

m.

 

[Kath]

I have a terrier bitch and two whippet dogs and they all get along brilliantly. They love to snuggle up together and I have to say that Ginnie is like a mother with both the boys, she even insists on giving them a wash and cleaning their ears and eyes.

 

[harrysmum]

I posted on discussion a while back as I had adopted another whippet and she was picking on my yorkie who is normally the boss.

Things sadly didn't work out and Billie went back to her owner.

Harry the whippet and Tiny the yorkie absolutely adore eachother, they go everywhere together and are curled up on their sofa, Harry - then a cushion - then Tiny on top. They do this every day and every night and have never heard a cross word between them.

As said, all dogs are different, I thought getting another whippet would be perfect (and she was in her own little way!) but it didn't turn out that way in my household.

I have just looked after a mini schnauzer for two weeks and as adorable as he was, it was so nice to say goodbye to him as he ruled the roost and made my dogs life a real hardship for two weeks.

Good luck with your decision. Its never easy.

Annette

 

[artemis]

I have two whippets and two terriers. The Norfolk aged 11 is a very passive boy but makes his views known if he has to! The crossbred terrier bitch is a real terrier. Will take no nonesense from any dog and would take on a lion if she had to! The older whippet (18 months) is best pals with both terriers but would fight her corner especially where food and toys are concerned. And then there is the new puppy! Friends to all but has been put firmly in her place by all! In general they all get on brilliantly but i agree with Lurcherman that sometimes the combination might not. I always crate my whippies when left on their own and would never leave them all together when I am not at home as I would never trust them 100% not to scrap and neither breed would give up! A few years ago crossbred whippet nearly killed my Norfolk boy when it came into our paddock and shook him about like a rag doll. He suffered multiple injuries including a punctured lung. He is small, furry and squeaks! Sight hounds do just what nature intended! Dont be put off. Just be very aware! Good luck!

 

[maja]

At the end we decided to keep little rescued girl. She is very sweet, loving and so smart! Wolfie and her are getting on quite well - only she needs to learn how to share the toys...

...and I think Wolfie likes her as she is quite nice pillow for him...

 

[Nicola]

They look like they are getting along nicely. Keep us updated, I love seeing photos of whippets getting on with different breeds.